To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Regulation Committee held on 13 April 2011.

(attached)

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations and the nature in relation to:

(a)       personal interests in any agenda item

(b)       personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item.

To receive petitions in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Annex 2 in Part A4 of the Constitution.

The Chairman announced that no petitions had been referred to this meeting.

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Procedure as set out in Appendix 1 to Part A4 of the Constitution.

No applications had been in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in paragraph 1 of the Scheme of Public Participation set out in annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph(s) 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

The Committee resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the consideration of the items of business would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To make a decision whether or not to grant a Private Hire Vehicle Licence to Mr S S in view of the age of the vehicle.

The Committee received and considered the report of the Licensing and Enforcement Officer concerning an application for a Private Hire licence in respect of Mr S S in view of the age of the vehicle.

A copy of the application form and supporting documents were attached as an appendix for Members’ information.

The applicant attended the meeting and made representations in support of the application.  The Committee were invited to view the vehicle, which was located in the car park.

In accordance with the procedures for hearings held in private, the applicant and Licensing & Enforcement Officer were asked to withdraw whilst the Committee made their decision.  The committee’s deliberation and visual inspection of the vehicle along with its appearance aided the decision process.  Following which all who had withdrawn were recalled to hear the decision.

RESOLVED

That the application for a Private Hire Vehicle Licence for Mr S S be granted subject to the applicant subject to (1) the Applicant being reminded of the responsibilities to comply with the conditions of the Licence and that the Council has the powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to revoke the licence at any time (2) that the application be granted subject to (1) above and receipt of service History documents.

To consider whether to pass a resolution to re-admit members of the press and public on the grounds that consideration of the remaining items of business are not likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined by Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED

That the Press and public be re-admitted to the reminder of the meeting.

To seek a decision on whether to change the current policy of only permitting annual Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver Licences.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities seeking a  decision on whether Members wish to change the current policy of only permitting annual Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver licences.

The current conditions attached to Hackney carriage/Private Hire drivers only allow a 12 month licence.  Drivers attending a monthly taxi and Private Hire in October 2010 expressed their disappointment that Central Bedfordshire Council did not allow the issue of a three year driver licence and asked that the issue be reconsidered.  Following which a consultation period was undertaken with Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers to seek their views on the issue of permitting three year licences.

The report set out in detail the results of the consultation. Attached to the report were copies of letters received from the Trade in favour of permitting two and three year licences.

Members were reminded that Central Bedfordshire does have an information sharing agreement with the Police and that the conditions attached to driver licences require drivers to inform the authority within seven days of  any motoring or other criminal conviction or caution which has occurred since the granting of a licence.

During the ensuing discussion, the Committee agreed that a one year licence be granted to new applicants and then after the first year a choice of a two or three year licence be granted.  In addition it was suggested that the financial implications of offering a discount for a three year licence be calculated by Finance.  It was furthermore agreed that the scheme be brought into effect once the cost implications had been worked out.

RESOLVED

(1)   that the cost of the three year licence be determined in consultation with Finance and that;

(2)  the scheme only be brought into effect once the cost implications had been worked out

To provide an update on the work carried out by the Health & Safety Team during the period April to June 2011.

The Committee received and considered a report of the Director of Sustainable Communities providing an update on the work carried out by the Health and Safety for April to June 2011.

The report set out details of investigations, notices including 8 improvement notices and 1 prohibition notice that had been served, work undertaken by the Safety Advisory group, Animal Licensing and other work)

RESOLVED

 That the work carried out by the Health and Safety Team for the period April to June 2011 be noted.